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Publication Number
US-7811254-B2
Publication Date
2010-10-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
An autoinjector useful for, inter alia, providing an injection of liquid medicament is disclosed, which includes a needle depth adapter for achieving a desired injection depth.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an autoinjector assembly having an outer tube with an abutment surface, a cartridge assembly moveably situated within the outer tube, and a needle attached to the proximal end of the cartridge assembly. A punctureable sheath covers the needle and is nonremovable and maintained within the autoinjector assembly. An activateable power providing assembly provides force to move the cartridge assembly to cause the needle to extend out of the proximal end of the outer tube.
A needle depth adapter is connected to the proximal end of the cartridge assembly for limiting needle extension by abutting the abutment surface of the outer tube. The limitation thereby provides a depth of injection from about 0.15 inches to about 0.30 inches, with the adapter having a constant longitudinal length where the longitudinal length is about the same both prior to and after abutting the abutment surface.
In another embodiment, the autoinjector assembly includes a cylindrical housing with a tapered, nonremovable abutment surface and a power assembly for releasing mechanical energy to move a cartridge assembly with a connected needle assembly. An annular needle depth adapter is received about the needle assembly for limiting proximal movement of the connected cartridge assembly and needle assembly by abutting the abutment surface, resulting in the piercing end of the needle extending to an injection depth. The needle depth adapter has a longitudinal length and radial thickness with the longitudinal length being about at least twice as large as the radial thickness.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover an autoinjector assembly and an injection administration method that use a needle depth adapter to mechanically limit needle extension and set a depth of injection in a defined range, including specific adapter geometry relationships. Across the independent claims, the core coverage includes at least four inventive features: the autoinjector structure with a nonremovable punctureable sheath, the activateable power driving cartridge motion, the needle depth adapter abutting an abutment surface to limit extension, and geometric adapter constraints related to constant longitudinal length and longitudinal-to-radial-thickness relationship.
Needle depth adapter limiting extension to injection depth
A needle depth adapter connected to the proximal end of the cartridge assembly limits the extension of the needle out of the proximal end of the outer tube by abutting the abutment surface of the outer tube, thereby providing a depth of injection from about 0.15 inches to about 0.30 inches.
Constant longitudinal length before and after abutment
The needle depth adapter has a constant longitudinal length where the longitudinal length is about the same both prior to and after abutting the abutment surface.
Longitudinal length at least twice radial thickness
The needle depth adapter has a longitudinal length and radial thickness with the longitudinal length being about at least twice as large as the radial thickness.
Tapered nonremovable abutment surface and annular needle depth adapter
The autoinjector assembly includes a cylindrical housing having a tapered, nonremovable abutment surface, and an annular needle depth adapter received about the needle assembly for limiting proximal movement by abutting the abutment surface resulting in the piercing end of the needle extending to an injection depth.
Mechanically limiting needle extension by abutment during injection
A needle depth adapter having a longitudinal length and an abutting surface limits the proximal movement of the needle by abutment with the cylindrical housing so that the needle extends to an injection depth, with a juncture formed between the longitudinal length and the abutting surface of the needle depth adapter partially deforming against the cylindrical housing.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on an autoinjector where a nonremovable punctureable sheath and a power assembly move a cartridge and needle, and a needle depth adapter mechanically abuts an abutment surface to limit needle extension and set an injection depth (about 0.15 to about 0.30 inches). Additional independent-claim geometry constraints include constant longitudinal length before/after abutment and a longitudinal length about at least twice the radial thickness, with one independent claim further requiring a tapered nonremovable abutment surface and an annular needle depth adapter.
Stated Advantages
Provides a tightly controlled depth of injection by mechanically limiting needle extension using a needle depth adapter.
Enables target injection depth from about 0.15 inches to about 0.30 inches.
Maintains constant adapter longitudinal length where the longitudinal length is about the same both prior to and after abutting the abutment surface.
Documented Applications
Self-administration of an injection by a person receiving the injection using the disclosed autoinjector assembly and method.
Injection in emergency trauma situations.
Subcutaneous injection, as described in the provided patent summary content.
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